New Excel 20 vs. WSM...the Battle Begins!

jenks_24 wrote:Nice!

Do you plan on "seasoning" both before the contest? Totally sealed and ready to go sounds about right. It may be just my way of trying them out!

Jenx

Hey Jenx,

Yeah, I plan on dry burning both of them before the contest. Will spray the inside of both with a little cooking spray, then smoke 'em out for a couple of hours to test temps at the different grate levels. Should be fun!

These little baby's just humm along with no problem.

I didn't get a chance to season the one I used at the British BBQ Championships but it didn't matter and our results proved that. I am curious at to the results after a seasoning though.
Marco you have any input for us there big guy?

I couldn't be happier owning a XL I tell ya and the only mod I would consider is making a larger hole for the probes. For now I simply rounded out the crimped edges on the thermo probe that needed it as the others fit just fine.

Check yours and see if the probed go through the hole already provided.

Dr_KY wrote:These little baby's just humm along with no problem.

I didn't get a chance to season the one I used at the British BBQ Championships but it didn't matter and our results proved that. I am curious at to the results after a seasoning though.
Marco you have any input for us there big guy?

I couldn't be happier owning a XL I tell ya and the only mod I would consider is making a larger hole for the probes. For now I simply rounded out the crimped edges on the thermo probe that needed it as the others fit just fine.

Check yours and see if the probed go through the hole already provided.

Anymore, I dunno if it REALLY makes a difference on this type of smoker, but for my competition trailer smoker (not having the enamel coating) I season it this way because when the metal heats up, it expands and soaks up the oil...kinda like a good cast-iron skillet or pot.

I haven't fired it yet, so haven't tried inserting the probes yet...will include that in the full report.

Congrats on the new addition, lookin forward to the full report

Here's a teaser...the WSM and the ProQ Excel 20...side-by-side...

***LINK DELETED...JIM RHINO MESSED UP AND DELETED THE VIDEO...WILL HAVE A BETTER ONE POSTED SOON.***

This is just 37 seconds of nearly 15 minutes of video. More later.

Youtube says the video is no longer available..??

From what I understand, because the inside of the cooker is painted it really does not need to be seasoned as any unpainted cooker does. You will find that the new units burn a bit hotter when they are new for some reason. I have found that with my WSM and the Frontiers. As you get that coating of stuff on the inside they will settle down into their grove.

Roxy wrote:Youtube says the video is no longer available..??

From what I understand, because the inside of the cooker is painted it really does not need to be seasoned as any unpainted cooker does. You will find that the new units burn a bit hotter when they are new for some reason. I have found that with my WSM and the Frontiers. As you get that coating of stuff on the inside they will settle down into their grove.

D'OH! I was cleaning up my YouTube videos and accidently deleted it...will re-do this afternoon and get a new link posted.

Don't know for sure, but my guess is that the new ones will burn hotter than a seasoned one due to the reflective properties of the the enameled finish...once they begin to build up, they are less reflective. Would be interesting to hear an official word, from someone who knows, as to why this happens.

Sorry for the dead link...will work on that this afternoon and reward with a better video than that one.

Well...the Battle for Bullet Smoker Supremacy is over. It was a magnificent battle...temps were monitored...both units were picked apart by a TRUE WSM Fan...the results are in and the verdict is...












...going to be coming soon. (D'OH, I'm such a tease!)

Video clips were shot, opinions were formed, and the results are being organized for release. I'm trying to recouperate (complete with the first sunburn I've had in years) from from the day yesterday...catering the night before...setting up for my youngest son's birthday party today. Stay tuned!

AHh you can't do this to us we gotta know man! lol

Jim,

This sucks, but I understand. I think I know which one won.

I'm betting on the XL

Jenx

Come on Jim... we're dying here!

Come on jim you gotta let us know

Working on videos now...just finished editing...2 videos documenting the process and results...both under 10 minutes...will upload this evening when I get home to a faster internet connection, and post the links tomorrow (or later tonight).

ILBBQS.com wrote: Working on videos now...just finished editing...2 videos documenting the process and results...both under 10 minutes...will upload this evening when I get home to a faster internet connection, and post the links tomorrow (or later tonight).

Wow!

I hope you used something that takes a while to cook on both, to show the longevity of the units. I may have to upgrade after this one. What a contrast: the old and the new. Sometimes old is money in the bank though. My dreams are with the XL: Too many additions. What do you guys think?

Jenx

jenks_24 wrote:

ILBBQS.com wrote: Working on videos now...just finished editing...2 videos documenting the process and results...both under 10 minutes...will upload this evening when I get home to a faster internet connection, and post the links tomorrow (or later tonight).

Wow!

I hope you used something that takes a while to cook on both, to show the longevity of the units.

Jenx

As you'll soon see, we ran this battle in conjunction with a little one day cook-off...so not a lot of time for cooking. We ended up keeping the food extremely simple (chix wings and fatties) so that we could get a better idea of how the two smokers were made and how well they held their temps...they were treated identical and all testing was monitored, and performed, by a big time 'Weber-head'...he put them through the eye of scrutiny.

I think a longer cook is in order, but am guessing that with the way they performed on this one day experiment, the results may end up about the same.

( How was that for NOT letting the cat out of the bag?? )

Video links coming soon!